Man involved in two Pawcatuck crashes in 12 minutes

Stonington — Police were able to track an alleged drunk driver involved in a crash on Liberty Street early this morning to a hit and run crash with a Route 1 fire hydrant 12 minutes earlier because the first crash tore off his front license plate and left it next to the hydrant.

Erick E. Delacruz, 22, of 26 Moss St., Apt. 1, Pawcatuck was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, evading responsibility, failure to obey a stop sign, driving without a license, failure to have insurance and failure to drive right. He was released on a $600 bond and is scheduled to appear in New London Superior Court Feb. 25.

A 12:48 a.m., police said that Delacruz was driving a 1997 BMW that ran a stop sign on Morton Street and turned on to Route 2 where he struck a van. There were no injuries.

An officer on the way to the crash, noticed debris next to the fire hydrant from a crash including the license plate that was issued to Delacruz’s car.

In the first crash, police said it appears Delacruz was driving east on Route 1 near Rutman’s Furniture when he crossed into the westbound lane, struck the hydrant and left the scene.